JEFFERSON CITY - MoDOT has added a text alert option to its popular "E-update" email subscription system. This means travelers can get urgent road information sent straight to their mobile device.

"Text alerts from our real-time traffic services -- Kansas City Scout and Gateway Guide -- are popular in Missouri's metropolitan areas," said Matt Hiebert, MoDOT production manager. "Now motorists in the rest of the state can also benefit from these notifications."

Just visit www.modot.org/eupdates to sign up for the service. You don't even need a smartphone ... just one that can receive text messages.

Signing up is easy. If you already have an E-update account, just login and add your provider information and cellphone number. That's it! If you're new to E-updates, create an account and choose which counties, routes and regions you want to know about.

Current E-update subscribers just need to go to the sign-in page and supply their cellphone number and provider name. Their subscriptions will carry over.

When there's trouble on a road or region you've added, whether it's weather-related or an incident, our staff will send notifications to everyone who's signed up. You'll get a short message telling you what's going on.

And if you want to opt out of the service later, just log in to your account and remove your cellphone information.

A MoDOT E-update account is required and data charges may apply depending on your cellphone package.

Even if you don't opt in for the text alert option, E-updates can keep you informed of road conditions, project information and other transportation-related info through email.

MoDOT reminds everyone that distracted driving is a major contributor to traffic crashes and this feature should NEVER be used while driving.